Education efforts and the integration of immigrants

The employment gaps between natives and immigrants in the Nordic labour markets reflect major skills gaps between the two groups. Employment gaps are smaller or non-existent when comparing natives and immigrants with similar skills. Research stresses the importance of access to pre-school education for immigrant children and of allocating resources to remedial education for adult immigrants. Participation in pre-school and adult education is associated with narrower skills gaps. The Nordic countries’ current education policies are in line with these recommendations. However, there is room for improvement, in the form of increasing the number of immigrant children enrolled in pre-school education. The policy brief is produced by Nordregio on behalf of the Nordic Welfare Centre and the project Nordic collaboration for integration. More information at www.integrationnorden.or